Canadian HR Reporter

www.hrreporter.com 29 F E A T U R E S IRVING SEES REWARDS OF SKILLED TRADES AS Canada begins to transition into an economic recovery from the pandemic, we need to recog- nize and highlight areas that have the potential for exciting new growth. One of these areas is in the skilled trades, particularly in the "blue economy," which focuses on the oceans and how they can contribute to a sustainable economic future. For far too long, skilled trades have suffered from an undeserved bias and stigma. They have been unfairly labelled as a backup plan or second choice for those who do not choose the univer- sity path. It is long past time to move past those outdated and misleading labels. Skilled trades offer challenging, rewarding and good-paying careers and they should be recognized as the great option they are. What are skilled trades? They are a huge variety of positions requiring different skills and training — such as welders, machinists, pipefitters, carpenters and construction workers. The one thing that these jobs have in common is their need for a high degree of skill. Shipbuilding program sees results The Marine People Partnership report of 2015, commissioned by Irving Shipbuilding and the Institute for Ocean Research Enterprise (IORE), outlined some of the challenges and opportunities still confronting the marine industry. In particular, the report focused on the following priorities: social and systemic challenges to attracting talent in skilled trades; developing essential skills, workplace skills and 21st-century competencies; developing workforce capability among underrepresented workers; and developing management and leadership capability. To maximize the potential of the skilled trades, we need to provide oppor- tunities to those who are interested in joining the field, particularly people who have been underrepresented in the past. Through its award-winning Pathways to Shipbuilding program and as one of Canada's largest employers of appren- tices, Irving Shipyards is helping to make this happen. Developed in partnership with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Pathways to Shipbuilding $420,000 project such as Ocean Allies will not solve the problem on its own, but it is a great place to start. With part- ners across private industry, government and First Nations, Ocean Allies has the potential to make a real impact on an incredibly important issue. "We know that diversity of people and ideas makes us better as a team and a business," says Kevin Mooney, presi- dent of Irving Shipbuilding. "We're making progress — we have more than doubled the number of women in skilled trades at the Halifax Shipyard and are exceeding the most recent national benchmark. Our first class of African Nova Scotian ship- builders has graduated, and we look forward to sharing news of our second group of Indigenous students as they begin their training at NSCC." But there is more to be done, he says. "Ocean Allies is a vital part of real- izing the potential of our marine sector and blue economy because it connects diverse partners in achieving the vital ingredient to our shared success — skilled people." Highly skilled, desirable jobs In many ways, we need to start looking at the skilled trades in the same way we have traditionally considered white collar professions: as highly skilled, desirable jobs that require specialized training, mentorship and consistent support. This need for a shift in thinking becomes even more critical when we consider the reliance on skilled trades in the growing blue economy. In the past, skilled trades have been susceptible to the boom-and-bust cycle of resource economies, with little secu- rity and less long-term planning. That ad hoc approach must be replaced by thoughtful workforce development focused on the growing skilled trades sector and its many positive attributes. Now is the time to begin this shift. As governments, businesses, and ordinary people begin to plan for the post-COVID economic recovery, they must recognize, support and enhance the long-term viability and success of skilled trades. Because what benefits the skilled trades benefits us all. CHRR Industry partnerships and programs are helping to boost workforce capability and recruitment in the "blue economy" as skilled trades grow in diversity, says Mary Keith of J.D. Irving Mary Keith is vice president of communications at J.D. Irving in Saint John. For more information, visit w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=u6LMEIYNzPo. An ad hoc approach must be replaced by thoughtful workforce development focused on the growing skilled trades sector and its many positive attributes. R E C R U I T M E N T offers introductory training to the ship- building industry, which has a high and constant demand for skilled trades- people. The program has already grad- uated two all-female, all-Indigenous and all-African Nova Scotian cohorts, equipping them with the skills and experience to build the next generation of ships for Canada's Navy. Between 2016 and 2024, work at the Halifax Shipyard will create 8,200 jobs across the country and 3,500 in Nova Scotia, according to the Conference Board of Canada. With that level of demand, there is a real need for better training, mentorship and career coaching opportunities in the skilled trades. The jobs are there — the real task will be matching the right people for those positions. Year to date, Irving Shipbuilding has welcomed more than 300 new team members to build ships for Canada in Nova Scotia. Diversity in trades It will also be essential to encourage a diverse workforce in the skilled trades. Work is being done through the Ocean Allies Initiative, an Irving Shipbuilding- led approach that is supporting a diverse ocean economy. And there has been progress to date; for example, the proportion of women in skilled trades at Irving Shipbuilding is 8.5 per cent, well above their 2.6 per cent share of the total skilled trades population in Nova Scotia. Lack of diversity in the skilled trades is a long-standing and complex issue. A

• Cover